Local favourite Caroline Hedwall fired a superb five-under-par 67 in tough conditions to set up a commanding four shot advantage over the rest of the field in the Helsingborg Open.

South African Lee-Anne Pace (73) and second round leader Valentine Derrey (74) lead the chase at six-under-par. Australian Rebecca Artis had another solid round of one-under-par 71 which saw the talented NSW player move into a share of fourth position at five-under-par.

Depending on what Hedwall does, Artis has a remote chance of winning. Her form has been very solid of late, posting two top 10 results in her last two starts.

Hedwall, who grew up 15 minutes from the Vasatrop Golf Club in Sweden, got off to the perfect start with a birdie on the first, she then recorded three consecutive birdies from the fourth, before finishing off her outward nine with another birdie.

The Solheim Cup star’s only blemish came on the par 4 13th where she took bogey. That bogey was recovered when she birdied the 15th.

Hedwall, who plays predominantly on the LPGA, will be looking for her first home victory on the LET. Pace, will be looking for her third victory of the year, while Derrey is searching for her first on the LET. Both players will have to get off to a good start to put some pressure on the world number 25 player on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.

Nikki Garrett was the next best placed Australian. Garrett has had an up and down week and her third round was another “up” round. Her posted a two-under-par to move up 24 places to a share of 14th position at even par.

Stephanie Na (77) is tied for 27th at three-over, while Nikki Campbell (74) and Sarah Kemp (77) are a further two shots back and tied for 41st. Whitney Hillier is tied for 48th at six-over.